Prefers full sun or bright shade in rich, well drained soils but will do well in most conditions. Grows quickly - up to 10’ tall. Blooms in June, July and August. Fruits are usually ripe August to September. Because elderberry is a shorter lived tree, cutting it back to the ground every few years will help reinvigorate it and encourage new growth from the roots.

Fruit is adored by birds including: Northern cardinal, Gray catbird, Northern mocking bird and Wood thrush. The suckering shrub provides great cover for nesting. Elderberry is also a host to the Cecropia moth, Polyphemus moth, and White-lined sphinx moth caterpillars

American elderberry is an amazing species; the foliage, the flowers and the fruit are all beautiful in the landscape. Not only is it attractive all summer long, elderberry has amazing medicinal qualities for humans and is a great food source for birds!